Leeds teacher Ann Maguire mourned at Requiem Mass

The coffin of Ann Maguire carried out of church earlier today (Photo: PA)

Hundreds attend Mass for teacher killed in front of her class

A Requiem Mass for Ann Maguire, who was fatally stabbed in front of her pupils at a Catholic school in Leeds last month, was held today.

The Mass, attended by about 300 mourners, took place at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in Moortown. Mrs Maguire’s husband Don was accompanied by their daughters Emma and Kerry and nephews Daniel and Andrew.

Mrs Maguire had taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor, Leeds, for 40 years.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with her murder.

At the Mass Don said that his wife had “loved teaching”. It was, he said, “a dream as a very young child, an ambition in teenage years, a fulfilling reality for 40 years”.

“But, in true humility, she always stressed that she learned so much from others.”

Speaking beforehand Ian Murch, of the National Union of Teachers, told the BBC that the Mass was an opportunity to celebrate Mrs Maguire’s life and achievements.

“This is someone who gave a whole life to one community and to one school, so you are sad but you are also celebrating the wonderful things Ann has done,” he added.

In the days following her death the school’s head teacher, Steve Mort, said: “I know, to Ann, that her service to Corpus Christi was not a career. She considered it to be a vocation.”